Slow and Steady Wins the Weight-Loss Race

If you're trying to lose weight, take your time and stay the course if you want to keep the weight off, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that when dieters' weight fluctuated or swung erratically, they were less likely to maintain their weight loss over time.

"It seems that developing stable, repeatable behaviors related to food intake and weight loss early on in a weight-control program is really important for maintaining changes over the long term," said study lead author Emily Feig. She is a former graduate student at Drexel University in Philadelphia.